queenofseers | ic inbox (mask or menace)

Norman, I- no. No, Norman, that’s not the sort of thing you have to worry about.

[ A little responsibility is good in a young man, she’s sure. But Norman is too young. To act like he’s someone her age, pretending this isn’t some sort of way of saying he worried for her...

Because, at this point, Cassandra knows that’s what this is. She thinks she’s learned enough about social cues by now. ]

I...look, if this is you trying to see if I’m alright- yeah. I am. [ She’s not, quite. ] I’m sorry I didn’t call.

[Well, she saw right through that one. He doesn't really believe she's alright (not yet), but she sounds...normal. Like her.

Though the apology surprises him. He hadn't really expected a call - at least not right away. There's so much else to check on first.] It's alright.

[There's a pause, and his voice turns serious.] I'm sorry. About what happened. [She'd been sick and he hadn't noticed.]

Hey. You don’t need to say you’re sorry.

[ Her voice doesn’t shake, but she’s clearly upset to hear him say that. It was bad enough with Martin, likely worse considering how close they are, but Norman is even younger. He’s too responsible at his age. ]

You had nothing to do with it- literally nothing. Don’t feel guilty about it.

[It's not guilt as much as frustration with himself.

...Alright, maybe it is also guilt. But she's right - there's no point in dwelling on it. He puts a smile back in his voice.] Then I'll just say that I'm glad you're back.

[ Cassandra exhales a deep breath, and gathers herself. ]

Nothing's been happening with you, I hope? Or only good things? [ She doesn't much like how nervous he sounded. ]

Oh, I'm fine! Everything's as normal as it can be here. [Which...means no progress, so that's honestly a problem. But it definitely could be worse. And Cassandra has definitely had it worse.]

As if anything here is normal...

[ She can't help but say it, though then again, it's the best response she could hope for. ]

Nothing to report at all? [ After a pause- ] Anything good?

[She's certainly not wrong.]

Well, the reports about strange creatures haven't stopped. Though I'm not sure how many of those are real and how many are people inflating things.

[Normal conversation around here. Perhaps that's what's best right now.]

Probably both, but who knows. [ She sighs. ] At least the Bigfoot hunters are having a field day, yeah?

[ A pause, and then: ]

If you even know what those are.

Oh, I've learned a lot about them now. [Things he never planned on: that. But they sure have come out of the woodwork.]

They still never seem to get reliable pictures, so I wouldn't count on them as a source.

Ha- you know, you'd think they would by now. There's no way there isn't something out there.

[ For once, she actually sounds happy at that thought. She is. It's good to talk to him. ]

It probably means they're still looking in the wrong places.

Maybe Bigfoot is in the swamps in Florida.

[It's good, to be able to speculate on things with her again. Silly things as well as serious.]

Norman, honestly? At this rate Bigfoot should be walking the streets of Maurtia Falls. Him and the Mothman.

[ That's somewhat withering in tone, actually; she can't believe the world is teeming with actual cryptids. ]

[Norman considers some of the attempted supervillains who tend to appear in Maurtia Falls.]

They might blend in more that way.